Hi. Whenever I cut tile the tile with a saw, the tile tends to fracture near the end of the cut when there is about 1" left. Then instead of a perfect straight line there is a little divot at the end. This happens both with my $100 home depot saw but it also happens with the fancy rented saw I'm using right now. This is for our kitchen so I want it to be perfect. I have a fair bit of old tile from previous jobs to practice on before I start on the real thing, but I do want to finish the job today. Any tips? Am I pushing too fast?

My tile are nominally 12" x 24". I have to cut a few of them in half and I'll have to make some angle cuts once I get warmed up.

joecaption

10-08-2012 03:46 PM

I guess it's easy enough to find out if your cutting to fast at the end of the cut, slow down.

jep

10-08-2012 06:35 PM

Thanks!!

JazMan

10-08-2012 09:16 PM

Aside from going slow especially the last few inches, try pushing down on the tiles so it's firmly on the table and well supported. Large tiles can be a pain both in setting and cutting.

Jaz

JetSwet

10-10-2012 06:58 PM

I hope your using wet saw and not a saw.

Score your cut 1st! With tile cutter, glass cutter or raiser knife you will be amazed on the out come of less chips if any.

jep

10-10-2012 07:20 PM

THanks! I didn't think of scoring it but I did start taking a shallow pass with the saw and then a deep pass. That pretty much worked. And yes the fancy rented tile saw was a wet saw (as was the $100 home depot saw). It was too small for my tile though. If I ever do this again I won't rent a saw that requires such gyrations. Funny thing was that the $100 home depot tile saw worked better on the precision cuts. It has what I assume is a really cheap skinny blade but I feel like I have better control with it than with the rental saw which was a heavy duty piece of equipment.

atvrex

10-12-2012 06:47 PM

Your blade is pulling to one side.
Judging by the size of the tile it is porcelain. Porcelain is very hard.
Draw a square straight line on the tile with a sharpie or something that won't wash off. As you cut the tile does it stay on the line? Not just close. On the line. If not place a finger on the side of the blade and push on it to keep it on the line. MAKE SURE THE BLADE HAS PLENTY OF WATER ON IT. A diamond blade with water on it will not cut skin. Without water will burn through skin. Does not smell good, trust me.

Rex

JazMan

10-12-2012 09:46 PM

Things I will not waste my time trying;

Quote:

Score your cut 1st! With tile cutter, glass cutter or raiser knife

not even a razor knife.

Quote:

place a finger on the side of the blade and push on it to keep it on the line.

If the blade-to-tray alignment of off, I would make the adjustment, very simple on most saws. Use a square to check alignment first.

Jaz

JetSwet

10-12-2012 10:48 PM

Per-scoring cuts help out a lot with a lot of things, tile, counter tops, laminate, peal and stick. Don't knock it if you have not tried it.

JazMan

10-12-2012 11:27 PM

I thought the subject was cutting ceramic tiles on a wet-saw. And you're right, I know better than to try scoring with a utility knife.:yes: